How to check on your credit card application

When you apply for a credit card, you can usually expect a response within 60 seconds. However, if you still haven’t heard back from the provider, it might be time to take things into your own hands. It’s not a difficult process, but to make things even easier, we’ve offered up some tips on how to best approach the situation.

How long does it take for my credit card application to be approved?

• On average 1-2 weeks (if not instant approval)

Although you may be given instant approval or conditional approval, credit card providers can take between one to two weeks to review an application. If you’re an existing member of the bank, the process may be quicker as they already have some of your verified information in their systems and are better aware of your financial picture.

The general rule is to provide all of the required information when you apply, as this will generally speed up the approval process. In addition, be absolutely certain that you meet all of the eligibility requirements for the card before applying.

How can I check on my application?

If you haven’t received a response regarding your credit card application, you can contact your provider using the phone number listed below.

Reasons why your application is taking longer than expected

If your credit card application is taking longer than usual to process, it could be due to one of the following reasons:

• The provider thinks that certain information on your application may be insufficient, incorrect or inconsistent, and may require additional information or changes.
• The provider has spotted marks on your credit file that it wishes to analyze further or discuss with you.
• The provider has to deal with a large number of applications and hasn’t reached yours yet.
• The provider has misplaced your application.

Resolving the matter is often simple, and can sometimes take no more than a single phone call. Monitor your calls, inbox and mailbox in case the provider is trying to get in touch with you – but know that calling them first is always the quicker option.

What responses can I expect when applying for a card?

Instant approval

With online applications, approval can be verified within 60 seconds. While lending criteria varies between different credit card providers, they will usually be looking to verify your identity and check your credit score. By providing all the required information and keeping a good credit history, you can look forward to instant approval.

Referral

If your credit card application is under referral, the card provider typically requires more time to carry out further assessments before giving you a conclusive answer.

Conditional approval

Getting conditional approval essentially means that the credit card provider is buying time to verify your details before granting approval. In such a scenario, you might have to provide personal identification documents or paycheques by visiting a branch office or sending them via fax. Complete approval only takes effect after you’ve provided the additional information.

Application not approved

The reason behind a provider not approving your application could be that you haven’t met the eligibility criteria for the credit card. Factors could include insufficient income, poor creditworthiness and unstable employment. If you’ve been rejected, don’t apply for another credit card straight away. Instead, either request a copy of your credit report to make sure everything’s in order or start comparing other cards to apply for in a few months – making sure you’re paying attention to the eligibility requirements.

Common mistakes to avoid when awaiting the status of your credit card application

• Lodging multiple credit card applications in a short period of time.
  You may be tempted to apply for another credit card while you’re waiting for a response, but multiple simultaneous applications will have a negative impact on your credit file.
• Your credit report has errors on it.
  If your application was rejected and you’re unsure why, make sure you meet the eligibility requirements and order a copy of your credit score to make sure you haven’t fallen victim to fraud or mistakes on your file. If you find a genuine error on the report, contact the credit card provider and the credit bureau (Equifax or TransUnion) to have it corrected.
• Watch out for customer service delays.
  It could take days or even weeks for a bank to respond to an email enquiry and it’s common to expect wait times when you’re contacting the customer service phone line. Avoid calling early in the morning, at lunch time or after 5pm when they’re likely to be inundated with calls.

Applying for a credit card is one thing, but receiving it is quite another. You may have to wait a considerable period for it, which is why we recommend you apply in advance and always stay on top of your application by calling your provider.

Compare credit cards

Looking to apply for a credit card? Compare options below to find the right one for you.

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Name	Product	Welcome Offer	Rewards	Purchase Interest Rate	Annual Fee		Min. Credit Score	Description
RBC Cash Back Mastercard RBC Cash Back Mastercard		N/A	Up to 2% cash back	19.99%	$0	Apply now More Info	Min. recommended credit score: 650	Get 2% cash back on grocery store purchases, and up to 1% cash back on all other qualifying purchases and pre-authorized payments.	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
BMO CashBack Mastercard BMO CashBack Mastercard Finder Award		5% cash back	Up to 3% cash back	19.99%	$0	Apply now More Info	Min. recommended credit score: 660	Get 5% cash back on all eligible purchases in the first three months of card membership (up to max. spend of $2,500). Plus, get a rate of 1.99% on balance transfers with a 1% balance transfer fee for nine months.	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Tangerine World Mastercard Tangerine World Mastercard		10% cash back	Up to 2% cash back	19.95%	$0	Apply now More Info	Min. recommended credit score: 600	Earn 10% cash back (up to $100) on up to $1,000 of purchases in the first 2 months Until July 31, 2022. Plus, get a 1.95% interest rate on balance transfers for the first 6 months (valid within the first 30 days of account opening, 1% transfer fee applies).	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
RBC Avion Visa Infinite RBC Avion Visa Infinite		55,000 points	Up to 1 point per $1 spent	19.99%	$120	Apply now More Info	Min. recommended credit score: 650	Get up to 55,000 Welcome Points. Get 35,000 points on approval and 20,000 bonus points when you spend $5,000 in your first 6 months. Apply by September 16, 2022.	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
OFFER Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card	OFFER	10% cash back	Up to 2% cash back	19.95%	$0	Apply now More Info	Min. recommended credit score: 600	Earn 10% cash back (up to $100) on up to $1,000 of purchases in the first 2 months Until July 31, 2022. Plus, get a 1.95% interest rate on balance transfers for the first 6 months (valid within the first 30 days of account opening, 1% transfer fee applies).	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
EXCLUSIVE Neo Financial Mastercard Neo Financial Mastercard	EXCLUSIVE	Get $25.00	Average 5% cash back	19.99% - 24.99%	$0	Apply now More Info	Min. recommended credit score: 600	Get $25 when you sign up for the Neo Financial Mastercard. Plus, earn bonuses like 15% cashback on your first purchase at most partners, and earn an average of 5% cashback at thousands of partners and at least 1% cashback guaranteed.	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
RBC Rewards+ Visa RBC Rewards+ Visa		3,500	Up to 2 points per $1 spent	19.99%	$0	Apply now More Info	Min. recommended credit score: 650	Earn up to 3,500 RBC Rewards points by going digital in the first 60 days.	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
BMO Preferred Rate Mastercard BMO Preferred Rate Mastercard Finder Award		0.99% rate on balance transfers for 9 months	N/A	12.99%	$0 annual fee for the first year ($20 thereafter)	Apply now More Info	Min. recommended credit score: 660	Get a rate of 0.99% on balance transfers for 9 months with a 2% transfer fee. Plus, get the $20 annual fee waived in the first year.	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Walmart Rewards Mastercard Walmart Rewards Mastercard		Up to $25 in Reward Dollars	Up to 1.25% cash back	19.89%	$0	Apply now More Info	Min. recommended credit score: 650	Get up to $25 in bonus Walmart Reward Dollars.	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
American Express Cobalt Card American Express Cobalt Card		30,000 points	Up to 5x points per $1 spent	20.99%	$155.88	Apply now More Info	Min. recommended credit score: 700	Earn up to 30,000 Membership Rewards points in your first year. Earn 2,500 Membership Rewards points for each monthly billing period in which you spend $500 in net purchases on your card (up to 30,000 points).	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
American Express Green Card American Express Green Card		10,000 points	1 point per $1 spent	20.99%	$0	Apply now More Info	Min. recommended credit score: 700	Earn a Welcome Bonus of 10,000 Membership Rewards points when you charge $1,000 in purchases to your card in the first 3 months as a new Cardmember.	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard		60,000 points	Up to 5x points per $1 spent	20.99%	$0 annual fee for the first year ($150 thereafter)	Apply now More Info	Min. recommended credit score: 760	Get up to 60,000 points and get the $150 annual fee waived in the first year.	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
BMO Rewards Mastercard BMO Rewards Mastercard		10,000 points	Up to 1 points per $1 spent	19.99%	$0	Apply now More Info	Min. recommended credit score: 725	Get a bonus of 10,000 BMO Rewards points when you spend $1,000 in the first 3 months. Plus, get a rate of 1.99% on balance transfers for 9 months. A 1% fee applies to transferred balances.	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege		90,000 points	5 points per $1 spent	20.99%	$499	Apply now More Info	Min. recommended credit score: 760	Get up to 90,000 welcome points in your first year.	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
SimplyCash Card from American Express SimplyCash Card from American Express		4% cash back	Up to 1.25% cash back	19.99%	$0	Apply now More Info	Min. recommended credit score: 700	Earn 4% cash back on purchases (up to $200 cash back) for the first 6 months of Cardmembership.	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Brim Mastercard Brim Mastercard		Up to $200 worth of bonuses	1 point per $1 spent	19.99%	$0	Apply now More Info	Min. recommended credit score: 700	Earn up to $200 worth of bonus points when you shop with Brim retailers for the first time through the Brim mobile app.	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card		35,000 points	Up to 2 points per $1 spent	19.99%	$139	Apply now More Info	Min. recommended credit score: 750	Earn up to 35,000 bonus Scene+ points in your first year (that’s up to $350 towards travel). Apply by July 4, 2022.	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Scotiabank SCENE Visa Card Scotiabank SCENE Visa Card		5,000 points	Up to 5 points per $1 spent	19.99%	$0	Apply now More Info	Min. recommended credit score: 660	Earn 5,000 bonus Scene+ points when you spend a minimum of $750 on eligible purchases in the first three months as a new SCENE Visa cardholder. Apply by August 31, 2022.	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Scotiabank Gold American Express Card Scotiabank Gold American Express Card Finder Award		45,000 points	Up to 5 points per $1 spent	19.99%	$120	Apply now More Info	Min. recommended credit score: 700	Earn up to 45,000 bonus Scene+ points in your first year (that's up to $450 towards travel). Apply by July 4, 2022.	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card Finder Award		85,000 points	Up to 3x points	19.99%	$599	Apply now More Info	Min. recommended credit score: 700	Earn up to 85,000 welcome bonus Aeroplan points. New Cardmembers can earn up to $2,700 in value within the first year.	Compare	loading Fetching your data...

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Frequently asked questions

• What factors can have a negative effect on my credit card application?

  Factors that can adversely affect your application include poor creditworthiness, recent bankruptcy, no credit history, mistakes on your credit file, low income, recent change in employment, no employment, fluctuating income, too much existing debt and too many credit enquiries.

• Can the credit limit I ask for have an effect on my application?

  Yes, it can. Credit card providers use different criteria to decide credit limits, and while you might not qualify for a higher limit, you could qualify for a lower limit. Be realistic when determining your credit limit.

• If there's a mistake on my credit file that's causing problems with my application can I fix it?

  If you notice a mistake on your credit file, you should report it to the credit card provider in question immediately, and the provider should then rectify the mistake by contacting the credit bureau in question. Make sure you send a copy of the dispute to both Equifax and TransUnion since they maintain separate records.

• If I don't understand any section of the application, is it okay to leave it blank?

  Incomplete applications have a poor chance of success, and if you submit an incomplete application, the provider might take some time to seek additional information – if it does so at all. If there’s anything in the application you don’t understand, seek clarification from the provider and then proceed.